Senior Software Engineer, Windows/Desktop Applications - Zagreb, Croatia
WFA Digital Insight
As demand for accessible and inclusive software grows, Speechify is at the forefront with its innovative text-to-speech solutions. With the rise of remote work, companies are increasingly looking for skilled professionals who can build high-quality, user-centric experiences. In this role, you'll have the opportunity to lead the design and development of native Windows desktop applications, working closely with product designers, UX researchers, and other stakeholders. With over 50 million users relying on Speechify's products, this is a chance to make a real impact. Before applying, consider the importance of accessibility and your experience with Windows application development, as well as your ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams.
Job Description
About the Role
The Senior Software Engineer role at Speechify is a unique opportunity to lead the design, architecture, and development of native Windows desktop applications. As a key member of the team, you will be responsible for defining and enforcing best practices for Windows desktop development, driving accessibility efforts, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to shape feature planning and UI/UX architecture. With a strong focus on user-centric design, you will work closely with product designers, UX researchers, and other stakeholders to build polished, intuitive, and accessible experiences for end users. The role entails working on the full lifecycle of features, from conception to design, implementation, testing, release, and maintenance. You will be responsible for ensuring quality, reliability, and consistency across releases, identifying and resolving complex bugs, and proposing robust architectural or design solutions. As part of a 100% distributed team, you will have the opportunity to work with a talented group of professionals from around the globe, including frontend and backend engineers, AI research scientists, and experts from leading companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google.What You Will Do
- Lead the design, architecture, and development of native Windows desktop applications using Windows App SDK, WinUI, C#, XAML, and C++
- Define and enforce best practices for Windows desktop development across the codebase, including code architecture, performance, memory usage, responsive UI, and maintainability
- Drive accessibility efforts, including integrating and validating support for accessibility APIs, ensuring UI controls, focus management, keyboard navigation, screen-reader support, and usability for users with disabilities
- Collaborate closely with product designers, UX researchers, QA, and other stakeholders to shape feature planning, UI/UX architecture, and long-term roadmap for the Windows platform
- Take ownership of the full lifecycle of features, from conception to design, implementation, testing, release, and maintenance
- Ensure quality, reliability, and consistency across releases, identifying and resolving complex bugs, performance bottlenecks, memory leaks, rendering issues, or compatibility problems
- Propose robust architectural or design solutions to complex technical problems
- Conduct code reviews, provide technical guidance, and mentor other engineers
- Participate in shaping CI/CD workflows and contributing to the improvement of the development process
What We Are Looking For
- 3+ years of experience in Windows desktop application development using Windows App SDK, WinUI, C#, XAML, and native Windows code (C++, Win32/WinRT/COM)
- Deep understanding of Windows application architecture, including interop between managed code (.NET) and native code
- Proven track record of designing, building, and shipping production-quality desktop applications, with an emphasis on reliability, performance, scalability, and maintainability
- Strong experience with accessibility APIs on Windows (e.g., Microsoft UI Automation or similar) and a dedication to building accessible and inclusive software
- Excellent software engineering fundamentals, including OOP, design patterns, data structures, algorithms, memory management, and multi-threading or asynchronous programming
- Experience leading technical design, mentoring other engineers, conducting code reviews, and making architecture-level decisions
- Strong communication skills, with the ability to articulate tradeoffs, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and drive consensus
- A user-centric mindset, focusing on building polished, intuitive, and accessible experiences for end users
Nice to Have
- Experience with writing automated tests for UI, including unit tests, integration tests, and UI automation tests
- Familiarity with performance optimization for desktop apps, including memory usage, startup time, rendering performance, high-DPI support, and responsiveness under load
- Experience with localization/globalization, right-to-left UI support, internationalization, and accessibility for multiple regions
- Familiarity with telemetry, analytics, crash reporting, logging, and error monitoring in desktop applications
Benefits and Perks
- The opportunity to work with a talented team of professionals from around the globe
- A dynamic and supportive work environment, with a strong focus on collaboration and innovation
- The chance to make a real impact on the lives of millions of users, by building accessible and inclusive software
- Flexible working hours and remote work options, allowing you to work from anywhere in the world
- Professional development opportunities, including training, mentoring, and career growth
- A competitive compensation package, with a focus on recognizing and rewarding outstanding performance
- Access to the latest tools and technologies, including Windows App SDK, WinUI, C#, XAML, and C++
How to Stand Out
- To stand out in this role, make sure to highlight your experience with Windows desktop application development, including your proficiency with Windows App SDK, WinUI, C#, XAML, and native Windows code.
- Be prepared to discuss your approach to accessibility and inclusive design, including your experience with accessibility APIs on Windows.
- When applying, make sure to include a portfolio of your work, showcasing your skills and experience in building high-quality desktop applications.
- In the interview process, be prepared to walk the interviewer through your code, explaining your design decisions and technical choices.
- Don't be afraid to ask questions about the company culture, team dynamics, and opportunities for growth and development.
- Before accepting the offer, make sure to negotiate a fair salary and benefits package, considering the market standards and your level of experience.
- When working remotely, establish a dedicated workspace and maintain a healthy work-life balance to ensure your productivity and job satisfaction.
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